Part 91, Part 135?

[flyer31]

If I wonted to do flightseeing, one plane opp flying myself, would that be under 91, 135 or something else. Do I need be set up with the FAA and if so, where do I start? I would also like to get a general idea of what the opperation cost of a c-172 / Cherokee 6 would be. Any info will be of great help, thanx.

 

[mattpilot]

As a comm rated pilot you should know this. Anyhow... read 119.1.... If none of this applies to your planned operation, then you are Part 91. Since i see you want to do it in a Small cessna, start reading in (e) where it lists the exceptions. I'd imagine (e)(2) should be of special interest to you.


As for operating cost:

http://planequest.com/operationcosts/op_cost_info.asp?id=97

http://planequest.com/operationcosts/op_cost_info.asp?id=98

http://planequest.com/operationcosts/op_cost_info.asp?id=222

http://planequest.com/operationcosts/op_cost_info.asp?id=223

 

[midlifeflyer]

Matt,

I'm not sure it's quite as simple as you seem to be suggesting. After reading 119.1(e)(2), my bet is a lot of pilots would think that they don't have to do anything to be "set up" to do some local sightseeing flights.

Sightseeing is one of those things that you can do as a commercial pilot without going the 135 route. But there is a regulatory catch: you need to have a Part 135-style drug program in place.

Sightseeing flights within 25 NM which start and end at the same airport are exempt from operator certificate requirements under 119.1(e)(2). But 135.1(a)(5) lists a group of Part 135 rules that apply to these flights anyway. Those rules, contained in 135.249, 135.251, 135.253, 135.255, and 135.353 are the drug and drug-testing rules.

What this means is that you may do sightseeing flights under Part 91 with only a commercial pilot certificate and without a Part 135 operator certificate. But (and it's a BIG but), you must have an official Part 135 drug program in place. Ends up being cost-prohibitive for some.

(There are also likely to be insurance issues. If you're renting, he FBO policy might not cover commercial operations other than flight training. If you're using your own, chances are that unless you have a commercial policy, these trips are not covered.

 

[mattpilot]

Matt,

I'm not sure it's quite as simple as you seem to be suggesting.

I'm not suggestion anything. I'm just pointing him into the right direction. While i do conclude that his proposed operation (as much as i know about what he plans on doing) is part 91, i know nothing about additional requirements of operating a 'commercial operation'. I'm also not aware that he needs to "register" with the FAA or anything else, as i can't find a reference for that (there may be one though).

 

[nosehair]

i know nothing about additional requirements of operating a 'commercial operation'. I'm also not aware that he needs to "register" with the FAA or anything else, as i can't find a reference for that (there may be one though).

Me too. I've heard of the requirement for the drug-test, but I don't know where that requirement is written into any FAr's...do you. Midlife?

 

[mattpilot]

Me too. I've heard of the requirement for the drug-test, but I don't know where that requirement is written into any FAr's...do you. Midlife?

yes, he does

He quoted it for us.

But 135.1(a)(5) lists a group of Part 135 rules that apply to these flights anyway. Those rules, contained in 135.249, 135.251, 135.253, 135.255, and 135.353 are the drug and drug-testing rules.

Funny thing is.. to actually find the rules you need to comply with, in order to comply with the quoted rules, you will need to go to Part 121 - wierd, huh ? I believe its appendix "I" and "J".

I read over it last night - simple instructions. Does anyone know how much one drug test costs? I can't imagine it being cost prohibitive.

 

[cvsfly]

It's not the cost of one drug test. It's setting up a Drug Program. Usually for a small operation, you join a consortium which will put the pilots in a "drug selection pool". They call you up and say so-and-so is picked for a random drug test. Operator's Program Manager then arranges for the pilot to go to a clinic to get a DOT test. Not sure what the protocals are if you are the only owner/operator/pilot. Before you spend time trying to decipher the regs in 135 and 121 App I & J call a consortium like - www.adatc.com and see what's involved.